WEAR Sustain has gone beyond the state of the arts for several aspects. First, it has aimed at promoting a balanced collaboration between participants from, on the one hand, the technology side, and, on the other hand, the art side. This is the most visible with the 46 teams selected and supported by the project, each of them relying on such a collaboration.
Second, the set-up of WEAR Sustain’s Network platform has also responded to the ICT-ART CNECT study recommendation of creating an umbrella meta-project to promote smaller projects. There are many hubs across Europe who support small similar projects, but until then no initiative had succeeded in mapping and coordinating them.
Third, it has raised awareness around ethical issues related to wearable technology collecting personal data, in particular via WEAR Sustain's Knowledge platform. Beyond, it has dealt with working conditions in wearable industries. And most importantly it has put environmental sustainability as a core issue.
The expected results until the end of the project can be summarised in two main outcomes. First, a major objective has been to select and support 46 teams to develop prototypes of wearable technologies, and bring them closer to the market.
The second outcome is the WEAR Sustain platform. As a Network platform, it maps various stakeholders working on wearables in Europe. As Sustainability Strategy Toolkit, it provides access to resources on ethics and sustainablity.
Our first impact has been to trigger the dialogue between creative people and technologists, by organising 11 exchange events; by setting up and continuously improving its online Network platform and, at micro-level, through its 46 selected and supported teams.
Our second impact is in increasing the transfer of knowledge, in our 10 matchmaking events, in our 2 final events and via the activities of our network of hubs (including in the associated events).
Our third impact is in contributing to a change of culture, notably through our 46 selected teams. Our selection and monitoring criteria actually include the innovation potential, the balanced collaboration, ethical and sustainability concerns, and the economic value of the project.
Our fourth impact is helping the development of an emerging market, namely wearables in Europe, while keeping a constant, critical attention for ethical and sustainability issues. Focusing on the wearable market has allowed to leverage the competitiveness of SMEs.
